Hour 2: It's the Big Head Show - Matt & Myron

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[00:01]
A
This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it, ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required compatibility and availability various 18
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B
this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.
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C
And at dawn six four from Kentucky, Matt Jones. Herm Edwards.
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B
Both you guys are the media. See, I don't consider myself a media person.
[00:40]
D
I really don't.
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C
See, but you can't have it both ways. You don't get to.
[00:44]
D
No, I don't.
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C
I never said I'm a media person. You gotta pick one. You're a media.
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B
Myron Metcalf.
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C
Here's the difference.
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A
Here's the difference.
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B
I relate myself exists and I hate, I hate saying this. I'm a celebrity. I'm not a music person.
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C
So leave it at that. That's how I get away with it.
[01:07]
B
I just say, well he's a celebrity.
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C
He don't know what he's doing. He don't know what he's doing. So then you can get away with it.
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B
Matt and Myron on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app.
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C
I can't wait till we start having the celebrity Herm Edwards back for Mondays with her when the football season starts. Probably my favorite guest we have here on Matt, Myron and those of you that see Herman other places. He's more fun here, Myron, and I'm looking forward to it.
[01:38]
B
Yeah, now that's going to be fun. Doing hits with Herm. The celebrity bit is one of his funniest. I didn't know what he was going to say there. I did not expect him to say he was a celebrity.
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C
Now I have a text machine that you can send text to 772-7745254 it's been lighting up with people writing and saying that Myron's head is a perfectly normal size, unlike what the cowboy fans have said. One person writes, I think Myron said while shiny is still very normal size and something I really enjoy seeing on my television screen. I don't know why he had to put comma while shiny. That feels like that's not necessary.
[02:17]
B
That again, that felt a little like if the goal is to build me up after I was called milk chocolate Whopperhead. I don't know if you have to say Also shiny like that. That's so great.
[02:29]
C
I mean, while shiny, still a nice head. Now, I'm here to personally give you an invitation. The University of Kentucky basketball coach, Mark Pope is having what he calls Big Blue Media Madness. He is inviting media members to come and go through a University of Kentucky practice and workout right before the Big Blue Madness, the midnight Madness here in Lexington. He called into my local show today, asking me to be in it, and he asked me to bring you. The Big Blue Media Madness is September 17th, and it is during this show. We can do the show from the event. He would like you to play and showcase your talents as a basketball player. Would you accept the opportunity to go through as if you were a college basketball player minus the nil?
[03:27]
B
Okay, so. So we're playing an actual game.
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C
We're going to go through a practice and then they would have a pickup game after it's over.
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D
Who?
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B
I mean, that's six weeks.
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C
That's five and a half weeks away.
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B
Okay. Yeah. Can I be down as a maybe? You know, I gotta. I gotta stretch after the show and
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C
see, maybe is usually a no. He's also. He will give you an exclusive interview afterwards.
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B
Is that a real thing? Okay, now. Now we're talking. Cause you know me, but you have
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C
to go through the practice.
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B
Okay, well, so here's the thing. If we're playing pickup files or no files.
[04:05]
C
No, no, this is. This is not pickup like on the street. We are going through a college basketball practice.
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B
Yeah, I like no foul games. Let's just play like, let us, you know, get the refs out of the way. Let's just go. So.
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C
So that. So I should put you down for a yes?
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B
Yeah, maybe a yes. Maybe.
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C
Yes, maybe. NFL training camp is going on right now, and we want to catch you up with a little bit of the news of everything that's happening. Let's start with Teddy Bridgewater, former Louisville quarterback, Minnesota Viking, and also Detroit Lions. He announced he's stepping away from the team, and since then, there have been reports that he is retiring. Josh Dobbs will take over as the backup in Detroit. What do you make, first of all, of Teddy Bridgewater's career and then also of Josh Dobbs as the new backup.
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B
I mean, Teddy Bridgewater, honestly, maybe the most likable backup quarterback in NFL history. He's really helped a lot of teams when he was in New Orleans, bat after the games. He'd ride his bike through the tailgates and just hang out with fans. I mean, he was coaching high school football In Florida, everybody wants him to be a part of their locker room because he's just such a good dude. So I hate to see him go and I wish him the best. If this is retirement. Josh Dobbs coming in, obviously he's had some highs and lows, but we'll all miss Teddy.
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C
I was shocked. Josh Dobbs like that. That's a name that just pops up. He's kind of in that backup quarterback roulette where you're like, oh, Josh Dobbs is still out there. That's kind of nice. I really love Teddy Bridgewater. He did play at the rival of Louisville, but I love. I thought he was always seemed like a really good guy. His injury was really kind of a tragic injury when it occurred. And I like that he fought back. He coaches high school football. He's always been somebody I think he treated like I, you know, I'm kind of a mama's boy, so I like people who treat their mother well. And he. I remember the first thing he did was buy his mom a car. And for some reason that always stuck with me. So I'm a big Teddy Bridgewater guy and I'm glad to see he is coming back now or excuse me. I hope he has a good retirement. Kirk Cousins. Myron. He and Max Crosby got in a fight at the Las Vegas Raiders training camp practice on. Max Crosby hit Kirk Cousins twice during the team period. When he hit him the second time, Cousins gotten Crosby's face, grabbed the jersey and then exchanged words pushing him away before it was broken up. What do you think of the idea of Kurt Cousins attempting to fight Max Crosby in practice?
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B
If I'm Kirk Cousins, I have to wonder how tough the team is. Cause when do you see that? That's. When does a defensive guy in training camp get to hit a potential starting quarterback twice in a drill? And nobody steps in the middle of it. Nobody gets in his way. That. That was just odd to me. Both of those guys were held out of practice and I'm trying to figure out where are the 10 other guys who should have been held out of practice. Like, those are the moments with good teams. I feel like, Matt, where there's a brawl because both sides are going at it. When you do something like that. That didn't happen with the Raiders though, apparently.
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C
Yeah, I did not. I think you cannot. I agree with you. First of all, Kirk Cousins, I don't think you want any of Max Crosby. I don't. I do not. I mean, I grant you, I don't know if Kirk Cousins has Been like, you train in jiu jitsu in the off season like you say you've done, but I wouldn't want one piece of Max Crosby at any point. But secondly, you do have to wonder about, like, if you're an offensive line, you cannot let your quarterback, backup quarterback, whatever, take those kind of hits, right? He shouldn't be the one that's having to stand up for himself.
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B
Yeah, your coaching staff can't let it happen. I mean, you just don't ever hear of it. Can you imagine this happening with Kansas City? This happening with the Rams, like good teams? This never happens because the quarterback is completely off limits in training camp. And the fact that Kirk Cousins had to fight his own battle, it just tells me that maybe this team isn't as tough as they believe they are.
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C
It's now time for a riddle bought to you by Progressive Insurance. What do your home and auto have in common? Well, Progressive protects them both. It's an easy riddle. Learn more@progressive.com. And I'll tell you now we can bring on someone who actually knows what training camp is, right? Like, and that's Jordy Nelson, former Packers wide receiver and also an NFL and NFL PA joint appeal hearing officer, which I gotta ask him about. But, Jordy, I'll start with you. You played in the league, went through training camp a ton. When you hear that defensive lineman and a quarterback get into it after a hit on in practice, is that something that's normal? What's your reaction to it?
[09:09]
D
I would say none of that's normal. I don't think defensive guys are supposed to be touching the quarterbacks. And then I agree with what you guys are saying that the offensive line, I know the guys that we would have had up front in my time in Green Bay would have been all over whoever it was if they even, like, tried to shake Aaron's hand. So it would have been definitely a brawl. Aaron would not have been a part of it, and everyone else would have jumped in on it.
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B
Jordy, aren't the rules kind of laid out? Like, isn't it kind of known that your quarterback is untouchable in training camp? Like, what does it say about a team where you have a guy who just didn't care about that? Apparently,
[09:48]
D
yeah. I don't know. I mean, I think all teams are different in situations can be different if you're not there to see the whole thing. But I know Max as a player is very aggressive and intense, and I think he practices the way he plays and is going to get after so it could have been incidental, but when you get it that second time, I think the offensive linemen need to step up and check him a little bit. And that's just the way it go, I think, across all NFL teams. So not being able to see it firsthand and what truly happened, I think it's hard to judge a little bit on it. But incidental or not, when the second time it happened, I think some of the guards and tackles would have had an issue with it and would have stepped in.
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C
Talking to Jordy Nelson, former Packers wide receiver Jordy A lot of fans are probably like me, which is this is training camp. This is the time of year you're sort of thirsting for any piece of knowledge. But tell me, as a player going into the first preseason game this week, as you go through each preseason game, from a player who's like you, a starter veteran in the league, what are you trying to accomplish in the preseason games and how many of the games do you play? And is that your decision, the coach's decision? Tell me how that works.
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D
Well, in my career, we played most of the games. If anything, we didn't play much in the fourth one, maybe one possession, which sometimes became three run plays and get out. I think every organization has their own theory. I never had an issue playing in them. I think it does take some rhythm and some timing. That's different than practice. And even a regular season game is going to be different than preseason. And that's coming from a guy who tore his ACL in a preseason game. So I wasn't holding a grudge against that at all to get injured in a preseason game because it can happen then or it can happen in Week one. You don't ever know when it's going to be. So I think they need reps. I think especially the young guys. You know, if you get up to year 7, 8, 9, 10 or whatever, maybe you're not getting as many. Maybe you're playing in games. Well, when I played, there's still four of them, so games two and three, but I think you do need them. I think there's a conditioning aspect to it that is different. The adrenaline is different and all that. Just getting in a rhythm and a routine that's just definitely different than practice. So I would like it if everyone still played in some aspect just so they're ready for Week one.
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B
Jordan I'm kind of tired of the Is Jordan Love elite conversation, but I also think it's valid. What does he have to do to kind of, you know, get rid of the naysayers and to prove to everybody that he is a top tier quarterback in this league.
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D
I think the easy answer is to win playoff games. I think that's where all quarterbacks are judged. I think for the whole offense as a whole up here in Green Bay is because the consistency week in and week out and then performing in the big time games. So I think that's where I think the top notch players separate themselves is when it's week in and week out, the consistent consistency there and the way they perform. And then in the big time games, if it's on Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, when everyone's watching, or when it comes into late in the season and crunch time in the playoffs, obviously there's plenty of quarterbacks that once they win playoff games, they get pushed up a level in the tiers of quarterbacks. And I think that's just how it works in their grading seals. So you can throw up all the yards you want in random games, but to do a week in and week out and then in the big time games is where it matters.
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C
Jordy I am a Bears fan, as you, as people at home can see of this helmet right here. So I have generally been inclined to just not like you at all because you would make big catches against my team on a regular basis. But one of the things I've always kind of envied, even as a Bears fan is the whole Packers. The mystique, the fan base, the community there you've been a part of it. For people who have never been to Green Bay or don't really understand that what is it fans should know that makes playing with the packers different than playing with other teams? And I know you've done that as well.
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D
I think a lot of people would say it's like a college atmosphere, but I almost put it down even to a high school atmosphere. Because you're in the people see in the grocery store, in the restaurants, out in the community all the time, you really don't have a choice but to be a part of the community, which I think makes the connection to the fans on Sundays that much more enjoyable and throughout your whole career. So that just the small atmosphere and then the history of all of it, when you're walking down the tunnel to go out on the field and you're crossing the same bricks that they've kept in that stadium since day one, it's something very unique. And then obviously the history of the organization as a whole, with the championships and the Super Bowls, the Lombardi Name on the super bowl, all that stuff is very, very unique. And to be able to be a part of that for 10 years, to win a Super bowl and have your impact on the organization in that way is something very special.
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B
Jordan the packers gave up a lot for Micah Parsons, who's coming off an injury. What does he have to do, what does the team have to do with him to make that move worth it after everything they gave up to get him?
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D
I mean, I think honestly at the end of the day with the packers organization is winning a championship. I don't want to say every year you don't do that, it's a failure, but you always come up short. At least in my 10 years there, that was the number one goal. I guess the number one goal was to get in the tournament and then to win the championship. We had some good seasons, maybe even some great seasons, but if you're not bringing the Lombardi Trophy home with the Packer organization, then you came up short in some aspects. So I think to make that big trade, I think it was, it was a good idea. It was what they needed. I think if he stayed healthy last year, it could have been a different result. But when anyone ever buys all in, it's definitely winning division titles, getting in the playoffs and then eventually winning a Super bowl, which makes any of that worthwhile. You can have incredible careers, but I think you ask any player they want that championship because that just puts you in a different, different level and just makes you part of that history.
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C
Jordy Nelson FORMER Packers WIDE RECEIVER now in doing research, I learned you also do something else which is you work as part of the joint appeal hearing officer for when players sort of get infractions or fines and suspensions. I, I, you know, I have to just say cause I'm curious, I used to be a lawyer at one point. Tell me about that process, how it works. And you know, sometimes we'll hear a guy gets fined X for doing yeah, how does that work and what's that been like being a part of?
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D
It's been great. This will be my third season doing it. It's been a very unique opportunity to be hired by both the players union and the NFL to kind of be a non biased person to look at all the fines on the field. So if a player gets fined them, their agent and someone from the union will call in. We'll have a quick 15 minute phone call about the play and what they felt happened and why or what made it happen. And then we get the opportunity to review the Film and then analyze it and think if it's worthy of a fine or not. So there's a bunch of different aspects that go into it, and we just analyze as much as possible. This year, it'll be Derrick Brooks and James Thrash again with Myself. And so just as former players, we see it from a different lens of playing that game and being in the fire of all that, and compared to seeing it from an official's eyes or someone watching it on film, so it kind of just gives that view. And then we get to make the decision of whether to keep the fine as is reduce the fine or remove the fine as well.
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C
So you guys are actually the ones. So if you. If somebody gets fined $10,000, that group, you just said, you all decide that's the right amount. Too little. Is that right?
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D
We don't get to decide the mount. That's all negotiated through the cba. We just rather get to confirm it as in, yes, that was an unnecessary play.
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B
Okay.
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D
Or it's reduce it or remove it. So we're not the ones handing out the fines. We're the more like, you know, if you get a. I'll say in trouble, and then you go to court and then the judge gets decided if you really got in trouble or didn't or kind of, you know, get a slap on the wrist or whatever, so we just get to see it from a different angle and get to, you know, agree or disagree, I guess.
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C
Judge Jordy. I like it. That sounds like a TV show. Judge Judy. Get out of the way. It's now, Judge Jordy. Now, before we let you go, you tell us a little bit about you're doing the Golf with Us clinic today in Milwaukee. Tell folks what that is and what you got going on.
[18:24]
D
Yeah. So partner with bank of America out here in Milwaukee to bring some kids out on the golf course. We got some kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and then from the first tee of southeast Wisconsin. So giving them an opportunity to come out on a beautiful golf course here and an opportunity to be a part of the game sometimes. Some of it's first time for these kids to be on a course. Others have been out on a course or played driving, run, drive, been on a driving range, or putt putt before. So just giving them those opportunities to see a different sport that they might not normally get to see and then also teach them some life lessons. If anyone's played golf. You know, it can be very frustrating to. To learn some of that aspect of it. But, yeah, just an opportunity to be outside, give back to again a community here in Wisconsin that's given so much to the Packer organization. Giving these kids an opportunity to see maybe something different and give them a different opportunity. Golf is kind of a unique sport. It's not the cheapest thing to try to go play. So to get kids that opportunity to get a feel for it and have some fun and a great experience. It's been fun so far. Looking forward to a little bit more time out there with the kids here in a little bit. And I said making memories, give them some life lessons and then also teach them a little bit about the game of golf.
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C
Well, go enjoy it. Jordy, thank you very much for taking the time. Jordy Nelson with Golf with Us Clinic. We appreciate your time.
[19:50]
D
No problem. Thanks for having me on, guys.
[19:51]
C
There you go. See, I would love the idea of. I'd love to be a judge on whether or not people are getting fined enough. What? What? That feels like a great amount of power, Myron, don't you think?
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B
Yeah. Yeah. It could get to your head for sure to have that kind of power and influence. But I love what Jordan Nelson's doing doing. Giving back to the community.
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C
In my hometown, you would double all the players fines. Cause you're such a scrooge, you. That's what you would do. I'd be pro player, you'd be pro owner. I know that now. The WN the WNBA has been in the news all weekend and once again, it's for all the wrong reasons. We talked about this last week. We'll do it again. What can the WNBA do to stop being a part of a conversation that I don't think it wants to be a part of? That's next here. I'm Matt Myron on ESPN Radio. Matt Myron, the podcast. Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was fired today.
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B
Ippei Mitsuhara ran up gambling debts to
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C
a Southern California bookmaking operation. The inside story of the biggest scandal in modern baseball.
[20:57]
A
He was absolutely bananas.
[20:59]
D
The amount of bets he was making.
[21:00]
B
I've never seen anything like it.
[21:02]
D
From 30 for 30 podcasts, this is
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C
the Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani.
[21:07]
A
Presented by Gusto. New episodes available now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork I like things my way. My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartegamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment my way. Visit vivgardmyway.com that's V Y V G A R T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgart Hytrulo brought to you by Argenics
[23:06]
C
Smith Myron here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Folks continue to write in saying comments about what the cowboy fans are saying about Myron's head. I just searched you on Twitter. People are really going on at you about your hit.
[23:25]
B
Yeah, the guy who said it laughed. I posted the clip on our on X and he was laughing. He's getting a good run out of it. I mean once you would somebody. Sometimes someone says something about you, you just got to take it. You know. There's not a real comeback from Milk Chocolate Whopperhead.
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C
Well, Lisa in Connecticut is on. Lisa is the wife of our producer James. And Lisa, I think you wanted Myron to feel better because you said Myron's not the only person on this show with a big head. Your husband is too.
[23:54]
D
Right, Right. I was gonna say of all the people that work on the show, Myron said's probably not the biggest.
[24:03]
C
Okay, so you think your husband has the biggest Head on the show.
[24:07]
D
Yes, yes. I mean, he has trouble getting hats.
[24:12]
A
There's.
[24:12]
D
Sometimes he'll pick up a hat, be like, oh, this looks good, and nope, can't get that.
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C
Do you know what size he wears? Do you know what it is? Like seven and seven eighths? Is that what it is?
[24:24]
D
I. I don't know. Honestly, I don't even know what sizes hats come in.
[24:28]
C
Well, if you show. We'll show him right now on the television. You can see that melon. I kind of agree with you. It is probably bigger than Myron, so maybe. But you love him anyway, right?
[24:40]
D
I think it'd be pretty hard to beat. Yeah, I do love him anyway.
[24:44]
C
Good. Well, Lisa, thank you for listening. We appreciate it.
[24:48]
B
The advantage, though, James has over me, though, I feel he's got a bunch of hair. So, I mean, that could complicate hats in ways that I don't have that same.
[24:57]
C
I will tell you a quick story of Kentucky used to have a player named Shigari Alene. Do you remember him? He was 7 foot. He was 7 foot 6 and he had a huge head. He also played for the Harlem Globetrotters. They called him the. I think they called him the Eiffel Tower or something like that. Anyway, he had a big head. And he used to go into a hat store that my buddy worked at, and he would walk in and he would go, you got anything? Eight and a fourth? And they would say no. And then he would come back in like a couple of weeks later and go, got anything in an eight and fourth? And they just kept saying no. And finally my buddy looked at him and goes, I gotta be honest with you, Shigari. We're Never getting an 8 and a 4th hat in here
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B
unless you customize that.
[25:44]
C
You might as well just give up. They don't send us that.
[25:48]
B
I like the Flex Fit hats that way. There's a little bit of give, so I can.
[25:51]
C
There is a little bit of give.
[25:53]
B
The extra large one, and I'm okay. You should reach out to Bruce Bochy
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C
and figure out where he gets his hats from.
[25:59]
B
It's hard to wear fitted. It's hard to wear fitted hats. I don't. I don't wear a lot of fitted hats. I admit that.
[26:04]
C
That's okay. 30 for 30's new series, the Betrayal of Show Hat Ohtani, is available now on all major podcast platforms. It's the Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, presented by Gusto. This weekend, the WNBA had some great games, but the main news was once again something that led to a public controversy outside of the world of sports. This time it was Sophie Cunningham on Friday night goes for a layup. And Dijonay Carrington had a flagrant to foul, led to her being ejected from the game. And then after the game, she had some things to say which we will talk about. But let's just initially, Myron, talk about the foul. You have seen the replay obviously many times. Did you think it was deserving of a flagrant two and an ejection?
[26:53]
B
Yeah, I think it's textbook flagrant, too. I mean, you have the unnecessary contact to sort of the neck and the face. Defenseless player running down the court. I mean, how many of those have we seen? Matt, in basketball games it could be dangerous. You know, like depending on how you do that, someone can really get hurt. So I don't think there's any question about the file itself. And listen, I know people have a lot to say about Sophie Cunningham. You get fouled like that, you get up and you get upset. That's also the standard. So I had no problem with her reaction after someone files you like that on a fast break.
[27:27]
C
I thought everything that happened on the court was exactly in basketball, sort of how it should be called now. It should be handled. The foul, I think she initially went for the ball. Now, whether not only she knows whether the follow through was intentional or not, but honestly, to some extent it doesn't matter because you hit her in the face. That is a flagrant too, intentional or not. Right. Like, I mean, that's just. Yeah, that's the rule. She should be ejected. Last year, Sophie Cunningham had a similar foul on a similar kind of play and she was ejected. So I think that is consistent and reasonable. Then after the game, Dijonay Carrington posted on threads white privilege and then it was later deleted. That led to the controversy sort of around that became, as a lot of these stories have, away from sports and into a cultural and political conversation. Myron, I saw that and I said shouldn't have posted that. I don't think that had anything to do with the call. I think it was a textbook flagrant too. It was one of those things. She later deleted it. I think the criticism that came from that is it went way too far. But it also, I think was reasonable to say that had nothing to do with the call. Would you agree?
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B
Yeah, I think decent at Carrington is very smart. I've been around her. I don't think that move was very smart at all. And again, it's just pouring gasoline on a wildfire For a league that is trying to distance itself from the endless controversies. Now you have another one. So I don't know what D.J. carrington was thinking. I think what's probably the most proof of how people feel is no one really came to her aid. Like, no one really said publicly we agree with her. So she was on her own island.
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C
Well, except the Fever coach. The Fever coach seemed to sort of take up for which I didn't understand that. I mean, put everything else aside, coaches need to ride for their players, do they not?
[29:28]
B
Yeah. I don't know what's going on with Stephanie White and the Fever. In a moment like that, it feels like this league just can't escape the drama.
[29:39]
C
Yes.
[29:39]
B
And what D.J. carrington did, it just only activated the people who are just waiting to latch on to something negative with this league. Listen, man, I watched from start to finish the Las Vegas Aces in the Minnesota Links Battle on Saturday, and a young woman named Olivia Miles, who I think is the MVP of the. Of the WNBA as a rookie, just play incredibly well, and that was a fantastic game. There are so many amazing moments in wnba, Matt, but I don't think we'll ever get to them because of moments like this.
[30:09]
C
You're correct. And I think the biggest takeaway from all this is there has to be a change, in my opinion, in WNBA leadership. There just has to. They have to find a way to turn the page. Because one of the things that has become clear is that for a certain group of society, the WNBA now exist solely to throw political flames and cultural flames at each other. There are people waiting for. For the moment in order to. To get any reaction, to then talk about something that they don't even care about the sport. They have no interest in the sport. They just want to make political and cultural points. And we need to assume. I know, I certainly do. That those people are bad actors. However, the WNBA has to stop falling for these traps. The wnba, you're right. Olivia Miles is a great story. Asia Wilson is a great story. There are stories all across the. The league. Great teams. There's probably more great teams and players right now than we've seen in a long time. However, they continue to fall in these traps of issues where you are handing people the sword to stab you. And I think the reason it's happening is that the leadership in the league has absolutely no credibility with the players. The players don't really care about the leadership. They don't listen. I think there has to be a new commissioner because what has happened is this league has gotten trapped in a cultural cycle of sort of social criticism that has nothing to do with the play and that it can't escape of. And some of it, maybe the majority of it, is not their fault. But a lot of it is because they have no leadership to pull the league in the right direction. And in my opinion, Myron, until that happens, we're going to continue to see these little things pop up that end up becoming and distracting the rest of the league.
[32:03]
B
I agree wholeheartedly. Like, if you're the commissioner, Matt, when else do you step up? Like, here's the moment, here's the opportunity. This is why you have the job right now. You got through the cba, the players got paid, and now your next job is when controversy comes, how do you handle it? And it feels like she is somewhere hiding when so many things are happening across the league. And I think the respect level is big. These players spent years battling Kathy Engelbert, and then now I don't know if there's a level of respect there. And I think they do need a change. I also think at some point, Matt, you're gonna have to start handing out fines and suspensions for people who add gasoline to the fire. Like, I don't think there's another way. Like, I don't think you should police how people talk, necessarily. But if someone says something that just turns this into a wildfire again and again, you have to respond with direct punishment, I think, or else people will continue to do it.
[32:58]
C
And two things can be true. I want to be clear. The people who are just sitting around waiting for a moment to criticize the WNBA and to criticize the players for no reason other than to score political and culture war points. Those people are despicable. But the problem is they're going to stay despicable. The question is just going to be which issue are they going to go to next? But if you want it to stop being the wnba, it becomes the leadership of the WNBA that has to do it to some extent. They need to protect their players. And what I mean by that is there needs to be someone who is a face that stands up and makes it not to where Caitlin Clark and Dijonay Cunningham, or, excuse me, Dijona Carrington and Sophie Cunningham, and these young women have to all of a sudden face a culture war. There needs to be somebody who stands up and says, let's go through me and let me make these statements, but nobody does it. They leave these women on out on an island. They make mistakes, as happens when you're that age and they're left to swim alone and that's the league's fault. And until the league and specifically the leadership sort of fixes that, there's this just a never ending cycle, Myron, that they can't get out of.
[34:12]
B
Yeah. And you hit it. It's the cycle. Right. Because of what they created. There's no way out of it. I will also say every post right now, every TikTok Instagram, everything you put online, every time you step in front of a microphone, if you're in the wnba, that's a match and if you say the wrong thing, it's going to light a fire. The players have to take some responsibility in this too, Matt, where they have to understand the moment and how volatile everything is right now.
[34:38]
C
I will agree with that. I mean you've had in the last week week it's the Sophie Cunningham comments that led to a reaction and then she acted like she was surprised and said she didn't want that. And same thing with Dijonay Carrington. She has acted like she's surprised by the reaction. They also have to take responsibility for it. But the league needs to step up and protect these players and they're not doing it. And there has to be a change in leadership. Until there is a change in leadership, they're never going to get out of this cycle. And it's a disrespect to the players who are producing at a high level. They got to get to where the culture war gets away from the league and the league can showcase its true self. It's Matt myron here on ESPN radio. Scotty Pippen, LeBron James. What are they talking about? Shaq? They're all involved in a story that's next here on Matt Myron, Matt and Myron, the podcast.
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Oh, oh, oh. O'Reilly Auto Parts.
[37:48]
C
Smat Myron here on ESPN Radio. Fun show today, folks. I've really enjoyed it. Presented by Progressive Insurance, Myron Metcalf, fresh off his first take debut which has the world talking Cowboys fans been going at him about his head. One person writes, I'm not saying Myron has a big head, but I have seen smaller heads orbiting his head multiple times. Come on now.
[38:12]
B
Come on, man.
[38:12]
C
That's not even even. Come on.
[38:14]
B
That's not.
[38:16]
C
Why would people say that?
[38:17]
B
That's not necessary.
[38:19]
C
That's, that's a beyond mean. But why are they doing that to you? Like you, you, it's not fair. You got people's wives trying to take up for you. You got people who like what, what's going on?
[38:31]
B
I didn't realize. I mean, again, this is what Stephen A. Bramley deals with. Like Cowboys fans are tough.
[38:36]
C
So are they. I mean, let me ask you a question. You've now had to go through this today. Would you say Cowboys fans are the worst? Yes or no.
[38:47]
B
Yeah, they're, they're at number one for me right now. Yeah, right. And again, I get it. You know, if a championship has been a dream only for you for 30 years, you got to be mad at somebody. So I get it. You know, they're, they're the, the team we always talk about but never really gives us a real reason to talk about. Them. So I, I, I get why they are like that.
[39:12]
C
But you do think they're the worst.
[39:14]
B
Yeah, yeah. At the top of, they're their own, they're their own list at this point. For me, after this, you call me a milk chocolate Whopperhead. I mean, you know, it, it's, it's, it's forever for me.
[39:27]
C
Like, that'll stick to you right to the end.
[39:30]
B
Well, It'll never change.
[39:31]
C
One person writes. Matt, this is on the text machine. 772-7745254. Matt, I unfortunately want my daughter to get into the WNBA and she loves Caitlin Clark, but I've tried to get her to know other players, but I don't feel like they market the other players to where my daughter and her friends only know Caitlin Clark. Don't you think the league should do a better job of teaching fans about the other players? Yes. First of all, the league seems to almost market no one. They don't seem to want to market Caitlin Clark for reasons I've never understood. And they also don't seem to want to market these other people. I mean, Olivia Miles is a great story. Let me give you an example. Here's what the league should do. The league should find the player that has the biggest personality. That's funny, that's interesting. Whether she's the best player or not. And she should go on a show like this or on Pat McAfee. And then they should have Olivia Miles on, you know, unsportsmanlike or the goalie like they should be. I should see these players to where I know them as human beings. And Myron, the league just doesn't even do that. They don't even, it seems like, try to market these women as stars and it leads to them almost being these blank slates that then people can come in and impose the their political persuasions on. And I don't think it's fair to any of them.
[40:51]
B
No, I completely disagree. I think the league markets players. I mean, again, I've covered the wnba. I go to a lot of games. I think if you watch the games, Olivia Miles is out there. People know her.
[40:59]
C
But how does the average fan doesn't know who Olivia.
[41:02]
B
But I don't, but I don't know what that even means when you say the average fit. Caitlin Clark obviously has been marketable since she was in college. But there are a lot of other stars in this league. If you pay attention. If you pay attention.
[41:13]
C
No, wait a minute. If you pay attention to the key the league needs to make it to where they force people like me to pay attention.
[41:21]
B
But the problem is the league can't overcome the other stuff right now. So I do think there are some great stories and there are some great people to talk about at market. But right now, when you say wnba, it becomes this polarizing thing. They have to end that part to make room for some of those stories to become more popular.
[41:40]
C
I think they can do both. I think part of the way that you get people to move on is that you get it to where people like me know something about Olivia Miles. Like, I give you a lot of credit. You are a big fan, and, you know, you watch a lot of the games. So, like, they've got you. But to be quite frank with you, they've got to get people like me and most of the listeners. And part of that is me learning about these other people.
[42:10]
B
Yeah, but. But they. They had you before all of this stuff became the headline for the wnba.
[42:17]
C
Well, they had. When Caitlin Clark paid Angel Reese, and they had me for the Finals. But I can't tell you. I mean, I'm just gonna. I'm just being honest. I can't tell you. I know a lot about the top five players, and sometimes I feel like if I just say I don't know these people, I need to know more about them. People act like I'm somehow not being studious. That's not what you do. If you're the PGA Tour, it is your job to get people to learn about Scottie Scheffler and just pick the people. Same thing with the wnba.
[42:50]
B
Well, but. But I. I think there are some great stories out there, and I'm fine with more of those stories being told, and people open it up if that helps bring in more fans like you and others. I think the challenge is everybody's afraid right now.
[43:05]
C
That's true.
[43:05]
B
Side and outside that league, that nobody knows what to say.
[43:08]
C
That's true.
[43:09]
B
Everyone's distancing themselves, so you got to deal with the big problem in the room before you can get to the other.
[43:15]
C
But leadership in life can't be afraid. Okay, I agree. Because when you lead from a position of being scared, you make mistakes. The WNBA is always reactive. They're not proactive. And so part of the way, you. You have to show leadership with strengths. And you're exactly right. It does feel like everybody's scared. I'll be honest with you. It feels like most people that talk about it are scared, unless they're trying to make a political point. And those people are confident. But the average fan or the average media member seems scared to talk. And that is not good, Myron, for the league. But.
[43:58]
B
But we can only have this conversation because I trust your perspective and you trust mine.
[44:03]
C
I agree.
[44:03]
B
You know that we can handle the nuance in the context of this. That's not happening online. It's the exact opposite of that. We can't have a real dialogue in the wnba, I think has to raise this to an emergency level because people are going to miss this incredible basketball if something doesn't change.
[44:20]
C
Right now people have to get to the point that they can say basic truths. That the foul was a flagrant foul. Right. That Caitlin Clark has a right to not speak if she doesn't want to write that maybe you know, that Carrington shouldn't have put the comment on threads. All that. You have to be able to say it without being scared. And the league just to me seems scared and I think that makes it difficult. All right. We were going to talk about Scottie Pippen because Myron gets very angry at Scotty Pippen. But we will save that for tomorrow. Will you let some of your anger about Scottie Pippen come out tomorrow? Is that okay? Yeah.
[44:58]
B
I'll talk about the angry retired veteran. Sure.
[45:03]
C
Angry retired veteran.
[45:05]
B
He's just angry. He's just angry. Why is he angry all the time?
[45:09]
C
Scotty Pippen is angry all the time and Myron's angry about that. We will deal with that tomorrow. Our good friends Freddie and Harry are up next. This has been Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
[45:19]
B
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Summary6 min read

Matt & Myron – ESPN Radio

Episode: "It’s the Big Head Show" (August 10, 2026, Hour 2)

Episode Overview

In this lively and wide-ranging episode, Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf deliver their trademark blend of sports analysis, light-hearted banter, and cultural commentary. The hour is highlighted by a candid interview with former NFL wide receiver Jordy Nelson, NFL training camp drama, the latest WNBA controversy, and recurring jokes about Myron’s (allegedly) oversized head. With plenty of laughs and strong opinions, the show is both engaging and informative for die-hard sports fans and casual listeners alike.

Key Segments & Discussions

Opening Banter & Big Head Jokes

[00:26 – 02:29]

The hosts dedicate some early time to playful ribbing about Myron’s head size, referencing a Cowboys fan dubbing him “Milk Chocolate Whopperhead,” and multiple listener texts defending or adding to the joke.
Matt invites Myron to the University of Kentucky’s Big Blue Media Madness basketball practice, prompting a humorous negotiation about whether Myron will participate.
Memorable Quote:
“Sometimes someone says something about you, you just got to take it. There’s not a real comeback from Milk Chocolate Whopperhead.” – Myron ([23:29])

NFL Training Camp Updates

[04:27 – 08:21]

The hosts react to Teddy Bridgewater's retirement, praising his character and influence as a backup QB.
- Matt: “Teddy Bridgewater, honestly, maybe the most likable backup quarterback in NFL history... He’s just such a good dude. So I hate to see him go.” ([05:03])
Discussion shifts to a brawl at Raiders training camp, where Max Crosby hits Kirk Cousins twice, leading to a confrontation.
- Myron questions why Cousins’ teammates didn’t step up to protect their QB, suggesting this signals a lack of toughness in the Raiders.
- Jordy Nelson (guest) chimes in, saying: “The offensive line...would have been all over whoever it was if they even, like, tried to shake Aaron [Rodgers]’s hand.” ([09:08])
Both Matt and Myron express disbelief at the incident, reinforcing the NFL’s culture of protecting quarterbacks.

Interview: Jordy Nelson

[08:21 – 19:39]

Timestamps for Key Questions/Answers:

On NFL training camp norms ([09:08]–[10:25])
Preseason mentality for players ([10:25]–[12:01])
What QB Jordan Love must do for respect ([12:01]–[13:07])
What makes Green Bay unique ([13:07]–[14:33])
The pressure after the Packers’ Micah Parsons trade ([14:33]–[15:45])
Jordy’s role as a joint appeal hearing officer ([15:45]–[17:44])
Community work: “Golf with Us” clinic ([18:06]–[19:39])

Key Insights:

NFL Culture: Jordy deeply stresses how unusual and unacceptable it is for a defensive player to hit a QB in camp, reinforcing the theme of “untouchable” quarterbacks.
Preseason Approach: Jordy values preseason game reps, even after suffering a major injury in one, emphasizing rhythm and conditioning.
- “You don’t ever know when [an injury is] going to be. So I think they need reps."
Green Bay Mystique: Stresses the Packers’ small-town, high school-like feel, tight community bonds, and organizational history.
- “You really don't have a choice but to be a part of the community...and then the history...walking down the tunnel...same bricks since day one.”
On Winning Championships:
- “If you’re not bringing the Lombardi Trophy home...then you came up short in some aspects.”
Joint Appeal Hearing Role: Explains the fine review process and their “judge-like” role:
- "We're not the ones handing out the fines..." ([17:44])
Giving Back: Details his “Golf with Us” clinic, providing opportunities to kids who might not otherwise access golf.
- "Golf is kind of a unique sport...not the cheapest thing to try to go play. So to get kids that opportunity...it’s been fun."

“Big Head” Banter Continues

[23:05 – 25:56]

Matt reads more listener comments regarding head size, even pulling in the wife of their producer to weigh in.
Humorous anecdotes about hat shopping, including memorable stories from Kentucky basketball history.

WNBA Controversy: Flagrant Foul & Social Media Fallout

[26:04 – 34:38]

Context & Play-by-Play:

Arizona Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham is fouled by Dijonay Carrington (Connecticut Sun), who is given a flagrant two and ejected. After the game, Carrington posts “white privilege” on social media, sparking a major controversy.
Both hosts agree the foul was correctly called; whether intentional or not, it warranted ejection under the rules.
- Myron: “It’s textbook flagrant two… unnecessary contact to the neck and face. Defenseless player…someone can really get hurt.” ([26:52])
- Matt: “I thought everything that happened on the court was exactly how it should be called.”

Deeper Analysis:

Carrington’s post and subsequent publicity are seen as damaging to the league’s goals of focusing on basketball.
- Myron: “It just only activated the people who are just waiting to latch on to something negative with this league.” ([29:38])
Matt calls for leadership change in the WNBA, arguing there’s a crisis of player/commissioner trust, and the league is stuck in cultural controversy cycles instead of showcasing the sport.
- “There just has to be a change, in my opinion, in WNBA leadership... they have to find a way to turn the page.” ([30:09])
Myron suggests disciplinary action may be needed for social media “gasoline.”
- “I think... you’re gonna have to start handing out fines and suspensions for people who add gasoline to the fire.” ([32:58])
Both hosts stress the danger of the league being defined by cultural fights, not great basketball – and say proactive, respected leadership is needed.

WNBA Marketing, Star Power & Media Narrative

[39:31 – 44:20]

Listener writes in about the lack of marketing for WNBA players beyond Caitlin Clark; Matt argues the league fails to promote players as personalities that fans can connect with.
- “The league doesn’t even seem to want to market Caitlin Clark...they don’t even, it seems like, try to market these women as stars and it leads to them almost being these blank slates...” ([40:50])
Myron disagrees slightly, saying real fans know the stars, but concedes that broader outreach is needed—though drama and controversy currently drown out efforts.
Both agree the climate around WNBA discussions is toxic and fearful, hurting honest analysis and connection for average fans and the league overall.

Closing: More Big Head Jokes & Cowboys Fans

[37:48 – End]

The running “big head” joke culminates with Myron ranking Cowboys fans as the “worst” due to their social media roasting.
- “You call me a milk chocolate Whopperhead… it’s forever for me.” – Myron ([39:14])
Matt and Myron promise to save their Scotty Pippen debate for tomorrow.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Myron on Cowboys fans:
“You call me a milk chocolate Whopperhead… it’s forever for me.” ([39:14])
Jordy Nelson on protecting QBs:
“If [the offensive line] even tried to shake Aaron’s hand… it would have been a brawl.” ([09:08])
Matt on WNBA leadership:
“There has to be a change, in my opinion, in WNBA leadership…they have to find a way to turn the page.” ([30:09])
Myron on WNBA controversies:
“It just only activated the people who are just waiting to latch on to something negative with this league.” ([29:38])
Jordy Nelson on what makes Green Bay unique:
“You really don’t have a choice but to be a part of the community…” ([13:45])
Myron on fine hearings:
“We’re not the ones handing out the fines...” ([17:44])

Episode Flow & Useful Context

The show pivots smoothly between playful banter, in-depth sports discussion, and cultural critique.
The interview with Jordy Nelson adds credibility and unique insider insights.
The WNBA segment stands out as a thoughtful, nuanced look at how sports leagues are shaped—and sometimes hamstrung—by cultural narratives and leadership decisions.
Fan interaction via texts and calls weaves humor and listener perspective throughout.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a one-stop shop for the latest NFL storylines (Bridgewater’s retirement, training camp fights), urgent WNBA topics, inside-the-league insight from Jordy Nelson, and the show’s signature irreverence. Whether you’re interested in athlete interviews, honest WNBA criticism, or just need a laugh at Myron’s expense, the chemistry and energy of Matt & Myron shine throughout.

Loading summary

Transcript161 lines

[00:01]
A
This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it, ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required compatibility and availability various 18
[00:27]
B
this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.
[00:31]
C
And at dawn six four from Kentucky, Matt Jones. Herm Edwards.
[00:37]
B
Both you guys are the media. See, I don't consider myself a media person.
[00:40]
D
I really don't.
[00:41]
C
See, but you can't have it both ways. You don't get to.
[00:44]
D
No, I don't.
[00:44]
C
I never said I'm a media person. You gotta pick one. You're a media.
[00:50]
B
Myron Metcalf.
[00:52]
C
Here's the difference.
[00:53]
A
Here's the difference.
[00:54]
B
I relate myself exists and I hate, I hate saying this. I'm a celebrity. I'm not a music person.
[01:01]
C
So leave it at that. That's how I get away with it.
[01:07]
B
I just say, well he's a celebrity.
[01:09]
C
He don't know what he's doing. He don't know what he's doing. So then you can get away with it.
[01:14]
B
Matt and Myron on ESPN radio and on the ESPN app.
[01:19]
C
I can't wait till we start having the celebrity Herm Edwards back for Mondays with her when the football season starts. Probably my favorite guest we have here on Matt, Myron and those of you that see Herman other places. He's more fun here, Myron, and I'm looking forward to it.
[01:38]
B
Yeah, now that's going to be fun. Doing hits with Herm. The celebrity bit is one of his funniest. I didn't know what he was going to say there. I did not expect him to say he was a celebrity.
[01:47]
C
Now I have a text machine that you can send text to 772-7745254 it's been lighting up with people writing and saying that Myron's head is a perfectly normal size, unlike what the cowboy fans have said. One person writes, I think Myron said while shiny is still very normal size and something I really enjoy seeing on my television screen. I don't know why he had to put comma while shiny. That feels like that's not necessary.
[02:17]
B
That again, that felt a little like if the goal is to build me up after I was called milk chocolate Whopperhead. I don't know if you have to say Also shiny like that. That's so great.
[02:29]
C
I mean, while shiny, still a nice head. Now, I'm here to personally give you an invitation. The University of Kentucky basketball coach, Mark Pope is having what he calls Big Blue Media Madness. He is inviting media members to come and go through a University of Kentucky practice and workout right before the Big Blue Madness, the midnight Madness here in Lexington. He called into my local show today, asking me to be in it, and he asked me to bring you. The Big Blue Media Madness is September 17th, and it is during this show. We can do the show from the event. He would like you to play and showcase your talents as a basketball player. Would you accept the opportunity to go through as if you were a college basketball player minus the nil?
[03:27]
B
Okay, so. So we're playing an actual game.
[03:31]
C
We're going to go through a practice and then they would have a pickup game after it's over.
[03:37]
D
Who?
[03:38]
B
I mean, that's six weeks.
[03:39]
C
That's five and a half weeks away.
[03:42]
B
Okay. Yeah. Can I be down as a maybe? You know, I gotta. I gotta stretch after the show and
[03:48]
C
see, maybe is usually a no. He's also. He will give you an exclusive interview afterwards.
[03:55]
B
Is that a real thing? Okay, now. Now we're talking. Cause you know me, but you have
[03:59]
C
to go through the practice.
[04:01]
B
Okay, well, so here's the thing. If we're playing pickup files or no files.
[04:05]
C
No, no, this is. This is not pickup like on the street. We are going through a college basketball practice.
[04:13]
B
Yeah, I like no foul games. Let's just play like, let us, you know, get the refs out of the way. Let's just go. So.
[04:21]
C
So that. So I should put you down for a yes?
[04:25]
B
Yeah, maybe a yes. Maybe.
[04:27]
C
Yes, maybe. NFL training camp is going on right now, and we want to catch you up with a little bit of the news of everything that's happening. Let's start with Teddy Bridgewater, former Louisville quarterback, Minnesota Viking, and also Detroit Lions. He announced he's stepping away from the team, and since then, there have been reports that he is retiring. Josh Dobbs will take over as the backup in Detroit. What do you make, first of all, of Teddy Bridgewater's career and then also of Josh Dobbs as the new backup.
[05:03]
B
I mean, Teddy Bridgewater, honestly, maybe the most likable backup quarterback in NFL history. He's really helped a lot of teams when he was in New Orleans, bat after the games. He'd ride his bike through the tailgates and just hang out with fans. I mean, he was coaching high school football In Florida, everybody wants him to be a part of their locker room because he's just such a good dude. So I hate to see him go and I wish him the best. If this is retirement. Josh Dobbs coming in, obviously he's had some highs and lows, but we'll all miss Teddy.
[05:36]
C
I was shocked. Josh Dobbs like that. That's a name that just pops up. He's kind of in that backup quarterback roulette where you're like, oh, Josh Dobbs is still out there. That's kind of nice. I really love Teddy Bridgewater. He did play at the rival of Louisville, but I love. I thought he was always seemed like a really good guy. His injury was really kind of a tragic injury when it occurred. And I like that he fought back. He coaches high school football. He's always been somebody I think he treated like I, you know, I'm kind of a mama's boy, so I like people who treat their mother well. And he. I remember the first thing he did was buy his mom a car. And for some reason that always stuck with me. So I'm a big Teddy Bridgewater guy and I'm glad to see he is coming back now or excuse me. I hope he has a good retirement. Kirk Cousins. Myron. He and Max Crosby got in a fight at the Las Vegas Raiders training camp practice on. Max Crosby hit Kirk Cousins twice during the team period. When he hit him the second time, Cousins gotten Crosby's face, grabbed the jersey and then exchanged words pushing him away before it was broken up. What do you think of the idea of Kurt Cousins attempting to fight Max Crosby in practice?
[06:53]
B
If I'm Kirk Cousins, I have to wonder how tough the team is. Cause when do you see that? That's. When does a defensive guy in training camp get to hit a potential starting quarterback twice in a drill? And nobody steps in the middle of it. Nobody gets in his way. That. That was just odd to me. Both of those guys were held out of practice and I'm trying to figure out where are the 10 other guys who should have been held out of practice. Like, those are the moments with good teams. I feel like, Matt, where there's a brawl because both sides are going at it. When you do something like that. That didn't happen with the Raiders though, apparently.
[07:26]
C
Yeah, I did not. I think you cannot. I agree with you. First of all, Kirk Cousins, I don't think you want any of Max Crosby. I don't. I do not. I mean, I grant you, I don't know if Kirk Cousins has Been like, you train in jiu jitsu in the off season like you say you've done, but I wouldn't want one piece of Max Crosby at any point. But secondly, you do have to wonder about, like, if you're an offensive line, you cannot let your quarterback, backup quarterback, whatever, take those kind of hits, right? He shouldn't be the one that's having to stand up for himself.
[08:00]
B
Yeah, your coaching staff can't let it happen. I mean, you just don't ever hear of it. Can you imagine this happening with Kansas City? This happening with the Rams, like good teams? This never happens because the quarterback is completely off limits in training camp. And the fact that Kirk Cousins had to fight his own battle, it just tells me that maybe this team isn't as tough as they believe they are.
[08:22]
C
It's now time for a riddle bought to you by Progressive Insurance. What do your home and auto have in common? Well, Progressive protects them both. It's an easy riddle. Learn more@progressive.com. And I'll tell you now we can bring on someone who actually knows what training camp is, right? Like, and that's Jordy Nelson, former Packers wide receiver and also an NFL and NFL PA joint appeal hearing officer, which I gotta ask him about. But, Jordy, I'll start with you. You played in the league, went through training camp a ton. When you hear that defensive lineman and a quarterback get into it after a hit on in practice, is that something that's normal? What's your reaction to it?
[09:09]
D
I would say none of that's normal. I don't think defensive guys are supposed to be touching the quarterbacks. And then I agree with what you guys are saying that the offensive line, I know the guys that we would have had up front in my time in Green Bay would have been all over whoever it was if they even, like, tried to shake Aaron's hand. So it would have been definitely a brawl. Aaron would not have been a part of it, and everyone else would have jumped in on it.
[09:34]
B
Jordy, aren't the rules kind of laid out? Like, isn't it kind of known that your quarterback is untouchable in training camp? Like, what does it say about a team where you have a guy who just didn't care about that? Apparently,
[09:48]
D
yeah. I don't know. I mean, I think all teams are different in situations can be different if you're not there to see the whole thing. But I know Max as a player is very aggressive and intense, and I think he practices the way he plays and is going to get after so it could have been incidental, but when you get it that second time, I think the offensive linemen need to step up and check him a little bit. And that's just the way it go, I think, across all NFL teams. So not being able to see it firsthand and what truly happened, I think it's hard to judge a little bit on it. But incidental or not, when the second time it happened, I think some of the guards and tackles would have had an issue with it and would have stepped in.
[10:26]
C
Talking to Jordy Nelson, former Packers wide receiver Jordy A lot of fans are probably like me, which is this is training camp. This is the time of year you're sort of thirsting for any piece of knowledge. But tell me, as a player going into the first preseason game this week, as you go through each preseason game, from a player who's like you, a starter veteran in the league, what are you trying to accomplish in the preseason games and how many of the games do you play? And is that your decision, the coach's decision? Tell me how that works.
[10:58]
D
Well, in my career, we played most of the games. If anything, we didn't play much in the fourth one, maybe one possession, which sometimes became three run plays and get out. I think every organization has their own theory. I never had an issue playing in them. I think it does take some rhythm and some timing. That's different than practice. And even a regular season game is going to be different than preseason. And that's coming from a guy who tore his ACL in a preseason game. So I wasn't holding a grudge against that at all to get injured in a preseason game because it can happen then or it can happen in Week one. You don't ever know when it's going to be. So I think they need reps. I think especially the young guys. You know, if you get up to year 7, 8, 9, 10 or whatever, maybe you're not getting as many. Maybe you're playing in games. Well, when I played, there's still four of them, so games two and three, but I think you do need them. I think there's a conditioning aspect to it that is different. The adrenaline is different and all that. Just getting in a rhythm and a routine that's just definitely different than practice. So I would like it if everyone still played in some aspect just so they're ready for Week one.
[12:01]
B
Jordan I'm kind of tired of the Is Jordan Love elite conversation, but I also think it's valid. What does he have to do to kind of, you know, get rid of the naysayers and to prove to everybody that he is a top tier quarterback in this league.
[12:19]
D
I think the easy answer is to win playoff games. I think that's where all quarterbacks are judged. I think for the whole offense as a whole up here in Green Bay is because the consistency week in and week out and then performing in the big time games. So I think that's where I think the top notch players separate themselves is when it's week in and week out, the consistent consistency there and the way they perform. And then in the big time games, if it's on Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, when everyone's watching, or when it comes into late in the season and crunch time in the playoffs, obviously there's plenty of quarterbacks that once they win playoff games, they get pushed up a level in the tiers of quarterbacks. And I think that's just how it works in their grading seals. So you can throw up all the yards you want in random games, but to do a week in and week out and then in the big time games is where it matters.
[13:07]
C
Jordy I am a Bears fan, as you, as people at home can see of this helmet right here. So I have generally been inclined to just not like you at all because you would make big catches against my team on a regular basis. But one of the things I've always kind of envied, even as a Bears fan is the whole Packers. The mystique, the fan base, the community there you've been a part of it. For people who have never been to Green Bay or don't really understand that what is it fans should know that makes playing with the packers different than playing with other teams? And I know you've done that as well.
[13:46]
D
I think a lot of people would say it's like a college atmosphere, but I almost put it down even to a high school atmosphere. Because you're in the people see in the grocery store, in the restaurants, out in the community all the time, you really don't have a choice but to be a part of the community, which I think makes the connection to the fans on Sundays that much more enjoyable and throughout your whole career. So that just the small atmosphere and then the history of all of it, when you're walking down the tunnel to go out on the field and you're crossing the same bricks that they've kept in that stadium since day one, it's something very unique. And then obviously the history of the organization as a whole, with the championships and the Super Bowls, the Lombardi Name on the super bowl, all that stuff is very, very unique. And to be able to be a part of that for 10 years, to win a Super bowl and have your impact on the organization in that way is something very special.
[14:34]
B
Jordan the packers gave up a lot for Micah Parsons, who's coming off an injury. What does he have to do, what does the team have to do with him to make that move worth it after everything they gave up to get him?
[14:50]
D
I mean, I think honestly at the end of the day with the packers organization is winning a championship. I don't want to say every year you don't do that, it's a failure, but you always come up short. At least in my 10 years there, that was the number one goal. I guess the number one goal was to get in the tournament and then to win the championship. We had some good seasons, maybe even some great seasons, but if you're not bringing the Lombardi Trophy home with the Packer organization, then you came up short in some aspects. So I think to make that big trade, I think it was, it was a good idea. It was what they needed. I think if he stayed healthy last year, it could have been a different result. But when anyone ever buys all in, it's definitely winning division titles, getting in the playoffs and then eventually winning a Super bowl, which makes any of that worthwhile. You can have incredible careers, but I think you ask any player they want that championship because that just puts you in a different, different level and just makes you part of that history.
[15:45]
C
Jordy Nelson FORMER Packers WIDE RECEIVER now in doing research, I learned you also do something else which is you work as part of the joint appeal hearing officer for when players sort of get infractions or fines and suspensions. I, I, you know, I have to just say cause I'm curious, I used to be a lawyer at one point. Tell me about that process, how it works. And you know, sometimes we'll hear a guy gets fined X for doing yeah, how does that work and what's that been like being a part of?
[16:17]
D
It's been great. This will be my third season doing it. It's been a very unique opportunity to be hired by both the players union and the NFL to kind of be a non biased person to look at all the fines on the field. So if a player gets fined them, their agent and someone from the union will call in. We'll have a quick 15 minute phone call about the play and what they felt happened and why or what made it happen. And then we get the opportunity to review the Film and then analyze it and think if it's worthy of a fine or not. So there's a bunch of different aspects that go into it, and we just analyze as much as possible. This year, it'll be Derrick Brooks and James Thrash again with Myself. And so just as former players, we see it from a different lens of playing that game and being in the fire of all that, and compared to seeing it from an official's eyes or someone watching it on film, so it kind of just gives that view. And then we get to make the decision of whether to keep the fine as is reduce the fine or remove the fine as well.
[17:22]
C
So you guys are actually the ones. So if you. If somebody gets fined $10,000, that group, you just said, you all decide that's the right amount. Too little. Is that right?
[17:34]
D
We don't get to decide the mount. That's all negotiated through the cba. We just rather get to confirm it as in, yes, that was an unnecessary play.
[17:45]
B
Okay.
[17:45]
D
Or it's reduce it or remove it. So we're not the ones handing out the fines. We're the more like, you know, if you get a. I'll say in trouble, and then you go to court and then the judge gets decided if you really got in trouble or didn't or kind of, you know, get a slap on the wrist or whatever, so we just get to see it from a different angle and get to, you know, agree or disagree, I guess.
[18:07]
C
Judge Jordy. I like it. That sounds like a TV show. Judge Judy. Get out of the way. It's now, Judge Jordy. Now, before we let you go, you tell us a little bit about you're doing the Golf with Us clinic today in Milwaukee. Tell folks what that is and what you got going on.
[18:24]
D
Yeah. So partner with bank of America out here in Milwaukee to bring some kids out on the golf course. We got some kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and then from the first tee of southeast Wisconsin. So giving them an opportunity to come out on a beautiful golf course here and an opportunity to be a part of the game sometimes. Some of it's first time for these kids to be on a course. Others have been out on a course or played driving, run, drive, been on a driving range, or putt putt before. So just giving them those opportunities to see a different sport that they might not normally get to see and then also teach them some life lessons. If anyone's played golf. You know, it can be very frustrating to. To learn some of that aspect of it. But, yeah, just an opportunity to be outside, give back to again a community here in Wisconsin that's given so much to the Packer organization. Giving these kids an opportunity to see maybe something different and give them a different opportunity. Golf is kind of a unique sport. It's not the cheapest thing to try to go play. So to get kids that opportunity to get a feel for it and have some fun and a great experience. It's been fun so far. Looking forward to a little bit more time out there with the kids here in a little bit. And I said making memories, give them some life lessons and then also teach them a little bit about the game of golf.
[19:40]
C
Well, go enjoy it. Jordy, thank you very much for taking the time. Jordy Nelson with Golf with Us Clinic. We appreciate your time.
[19:50]
D
No problem. Thanks for having me on, guys.
[19:51]
C
There you go. See, I would love the idea of. I'd love to be a judge on whether or not people are getting fined enough. What? What? That feels like a great amount of power, Myron, don't you think?
[20:00]
B
Yeah. Yeah. It could get to your head for sure to have that kind of power and influence. But I love what Jordan Nelson's doing doing. Giving back to the community.
[20:09]
C
In my hometown, you would double all the players fines. Cause you're such a scrooge, you. That's what you would do. I'd be pro player, you'd be pro owner. I know that now. The WN the WNBA has been in the news all weekend and once again, it's for all the wrong reasons. We talked about this last week. We'll do it again. What can the WNBA do to stop being a part of a conversation that I don't think it wants to be a part of? That's next here. I'm Matt Myron on ESPN Radio. Matt Myron, the podcast. Shohei Ohtani's interpreter was fired today.
[20:47]
B
Ippei Mitsuhara ran up gambling debts to
[20:50]
C
a Southern California bookmaking operation. The inside story of the biggest scandal in modern baseball.
[20:57]
A
He was absolutely bananas.
[20:59]
D
The amount of bets he was making.
[21:00]
B
I've never seen anything like it.
[21:02]
D
From 30 for 30 podcasts, this is
[21:05]
C
the Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani.
[21:07]
A
Presented by Gusto. New episodes available now. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place from inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify shopify.comnetwork. go to shopify.comnetwork shopify.comnetwork I like things my way. My coffee, my schedule and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo pre filled syringe which contains fgartegamide alpha and hyaluronidase qvfc. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment my way. Visit vivgardmyway.com that's V Y V G A R T myway.com and talk to your doctor about Vivgart Hytrulo brought to you by Argenics
[23:06]
C
Smith Myron here on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Folks continue to write in saying comments about what the cowboy fans are saying about Myron's head. I just searched you on Twitter. People are really going on at you about your hit.
[23:25]
B
Yeah, the guy who said it laughed. I posted the clip on our on X and he was laughing. He's getting a good run out of it. I mean once you would somebody. Sometimes someone says something about you, you just got to take it. You know. There's not a real comeback from Milk Chocolate Whopperhead.
[23:42]
C
Well, Lisa in Connecticut is on. Lisa is the wife of our producer James. And Lisa, I think you wanted Myron to feel better because you said Myron's not the only person on this show with a big head. Your husband is too.
[23:54]
D
Right, Right. I was gonna say of all the people that work on the show, Myron said's probably not the biggest.
[24:03]
C
Okay, so you think your husband has the biggest Head on the show.
[24:07]
D
Yes, yes. I mean, he has trouble getting hats.
[24:12]
A
There's.
[24:12]
D
Sometimes he'll pick up a hat, be like, oh, this looks good, and nope, can't get that.
[24:17]
C
Do you know what size he wears? Do you know what it is? Like seven and seven eighths? Is that what it is?
[24:24]
D
I. I don't know. Honestly, I don't even know what sizes hats come in.
[24:28]
C
Well, if you show. We'll show him right now on the television. You can see that melon. I kind of agree with you. It is probably bigger than Myron, so maybe. But you love him anyway, right?
[24:40]
D
I think it'd be pretty hard to beat. Yeah, I do love him anyway.
[24:44]
C
Good. Well, Lisa, thank you for listening. We appreciate it.
[24:48]
B
The advantage, though, James has over me, though, I feel he's got a bunch of hair. So, I mean, that could complicate hats in ways that I don't have that same.
[24:57]
C
I will tell you a quick story of Kentucky used to have a player named Shigari Alene. Do you remember him? He was 7 foot. He was 7 foot 6 and he had a huge head. He also played for the Harlem Globetrotters. They called him the. I think they called him the Eiffel Tower or something like that. Anyway, he had a big head. And he used to go into a hat store that my buddy worked at, and he would walk in and he would go, you got anything? Eight and a fourth? And they would say no. And then he would come back in like a couple of weeks later and go, got anything in an eight and fourth? And they just kept saying no. And finally my buddy looked at him and goes, I gotta be honest with you, Shigari. We're Never getting an 8 and a 4th hat in here
[25:43]
B
unless you customize that.
[25:44]
C
You might as well just give up. They don't send us that.
[25:48]
B
I like the Flex Fit hats that way. There's a little bit of give, so I can.
[25:51]
C
There is a little bit of give.
[25:53]
B
The extra large one, and I'm okay. You should reach out to Bruce Bochy
[25:56]
C
and figure out where he gets his hats from.
[25:59]
B
It's hard to wear fitted. It's hard to wear fitted hats. I don't. I don't wear a lot of fitted hats. I admit that.
[26:04]
C
That's okay. 30 for 30's new series, the Betrayal of Show Hat Ohtani, is available now on all major podcast platforms. It's the Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, presented by Gusto. This weekend, the WNBA had some great games, but the main news was once again something that led to a public controversy outside of the world of sports. This time it was Sophie Cunningham on Friday night goes for a layup. And Dijonay Carrington had a flagrant to foul, led to her being ejected from the game. And then after the game, she had some things to say which we will talk about. But let's just initially, Myron, talk about the foul. You have seen the replay obviously many times. Did you think it was deserving of a flagrant two and an ejection?
[26:53]
B
Yeah, I think it's textbook flagrant, too. I mean, you have the unnecessary contact to sort of the neck and the face. Defenseless player running down the court. I mean, how many of those have we seen? Matt, in basketball games it could be dangerous. You know, like depending on how you do that, someone can really get hurt. So I don't think there's any question about the file itself. And listen, I know people have a lot to say about Sophie Cunningham. You get fouled like that, you get up and you get upset. That's also the standard. So I had no problem with her reaction after someone files you like that on a fast break.
[27:27]
C
I thought everything that happened on the court was exactly in basketball, sort of how it should be called now. It should be handled. The foul, I think she initially went for the ball. Now, whether not only she knows whether the follow through was intentional or not, but honestly, to some extent it doesn't matter because you hit her in the face. That is a flagrant too, intentional or not. Right. Like, I mean, that's just. Yeah, that's the rule. She should be ejected. Last year, Sophie Cunningham had a similar foul on a similar kind of play and she was ejected. So I think that is consistent and reasonable. Then after the game, Dijonay Carrington posted on threads white privilege and then it was later deleted. That led to the controversy sort of around that became, as a lot of these stories have, away from sports and into a cultural and political conversation. Myron, I saw that and I said shouldn't have posted that. I don't think that had anything to do with the call. I think it was a textbook flagrant too. It was one of those things. She later deleted it. I think the criticism that came from that is it went way too far. But it also, I think was reasonable to say that had nothing to do with the call. Would you agree?
[28:47]
B
Yeah, I think decent at Carrington is very smart. I've been around her. I don't think that move was very smart at all. And again, it's just pouring gasoline on a wildfire For a league that is trying to distance itself from the endless controversies. Now you have another one. So I don't know what D.J. carrington was thinking. I think what's probably the most proof of how people feel is no one really came to her aid. Like, no one really said publicly we agree with her. So she was on her own island.
[29:16]
C
Well, except the Fever coach. The Fever coach seemed to sort of take up for which I didn't understand that. I mean, put everything else aside, coaches need to ride for their players, do they not?
[29:28]
B
Yeah. I don't know what's going on with Stephanie White and the Fever. In a moment like that, it feels like this league just can't escape the drama.
[29:39]
C
Yes.
[29:39]
B
And what D.J. carrington did, it just only activated the people who are just waiting to latch on to something negative with this league. Listen, man, I watched from start to finish the Las Vegas Aces in the Minnesota Links Battle on Saturday, and a young woman named Olivia Miles, who I think is the MVP of the. Of the WNBA as a rookie, just play incredibly well, and that was a fantastic game. There are so many amazing moments in wnba, Matt, but I don't think we'll ever get to them because of moments like this.
[30:09]
C
You're correct. And I think the biggest takeaway from all this is there has to be a change, in my opinion, in WNBA leadership. There just has to. They have to find a way to turn the page. Because one of the things that has become clear is that for a certain group of society, the WNBA now exist solely to throw political flames and cultural flames at each other. There are people waiting for. For the moment in order to. To get any reaction, to then talk about something that they don't even care about the sport. They have no interest in the sport. They just want to make political and cultural points. And we need to assume. I know, I certainly do. That those people are bad actors. However, the WNBA has to stop falling for these traps. The wnba, you're right. Olivia Miles is a great story. Asia Wilson is a great story. There are stories all across the. The league. Great teams. There's probably more great teams and players right now than we've seen in a long time. However, they continue to fall in these traps of issues where you are handing people the sword to stab you. And I think the reason it's happening is that the leadership in the league has absolutely no credibility with the players. The players don't really care about the leadership. They don't listen. I think there has to be a new commissioner because what has happened is this league has gotten trapped in a cultural cycle of sort of social criticism that has nothing to do with the play and that it can't escape of. And some of it, maybe the majority of it, is not their fault. But a lot of it is because they have no leadership to pull the league in the right direction. And in my opinion, Myron, until that happens, we're going to continue to see these little things pop up that end up becoming and distracting the rest of the league.
[32:03]
B
I agree wholeheartedly. Like, if you're the commissioner, Matt, when else do you step up? Like, here's the moment, here's the opportunity. This is why you have the job right now. You got through the cba, the players got paid, and now your next job is when controversy comes, how do you handle it? And it feels like she is somewhere hiding when so many things are happening across the league. And I think the respect level is big. These players spent years battling Kathy Engelbert, and then now I don't know if there's a level of respect there. And I think they do need a change. I also think at some point, Matt, you're gonna have to start handing out fines and suspensions for people who add gasoline to the fire. Like, I don't think there's another way. Like, I don't think you should police how people talk, necessarily. But if someone says something that just turns this into a wildfire again and again, you have to respond with direct punishment, I think, or else people will continue to do it.
[32:58]
C
And two things can be true. I want to be clear. The people who are just sitting around waiting for a moment to criticize the WNBA and to criticize the players for no reason other than to score political and culture war points. Those people are despicable. But the problem is they're going to stay despicable. The question is just going to be which issue are they going to go to next? But if you want it to stop being the wnba, it becomes the leadership of the WNBA that has to do it to some extent. They need to protect their players. And what I mean by that is there needs to be someone who is a face that stands up and makes it not to where Caitlin Clark and Dijonay Cunningham, or, excuse me, Dijona Carrington and Sophie Cunningham, and these young women have to all of a sudden face a culture war. There needs to be somebody who stands up and says, let's go through me and let me make these statements, but nobody does it. They leave these women on out on an island. They make mistakes, as happens when you're that age and they're left to swim alone and that's the league's fault. And until the league and specifically the leadership sort of fixes that, there's this just a never ending cycle, Myron, that they can't get out of.
[34:12]
B
Yeah. And you hit it. It's the cycle. Right. Because of what they created. There's no way out of it. I will also say every post right now, every TikTok Instagram, everything you put online, every time you step in front of a microphone, if you're in the wnba, that's a match and if you say the wrong thing, it's going to light a fire. The players have to take some responsibility in this too, Matt, where they have to understand the moment and how volatile everything is right now.
[34:38]
C
I will agree with that. I mean you've had in the last week week it's the Sophie Cunningham comments that led to a reaction and then she acted like she was surprised and said she didn't want that. And same thing with Dijonay Carrington. She has acted like she's surprised by the reaction. They also have to take responsibility for it. But the league needs to step up and protect these players and they're not doing it. And there has to be a change in leadership. Until there is a change in leadership, they're never going to get out of this cycle. And it's a disrespect to the players who are producing at a high level. They got to get to where the culture war gets away from the league and the league can showcase its true self. It's Matt myron here on ESPN radio. Scotty Pippen, LeBron James. What are they talking about? Shaq? They're all involved in a story that's next here on Matt Myron, Matt and Myron, the podcast.
[35:39]
A
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Smat Myron here on ESPN Radio. Fun show today, folks. I've really enjoyed it. Presented by Progressive Insurance, Myron Metcalf, fresh off his first take debut which has the world talking Cowboys fans been going at him about his head. One person writes, I'm not saying Myron has a big head, but I have seen smaller heads orbiting his head multiple times. Come on now.
[38:12]
B
Come on, man.
[38:12]
C
That's not even even. Come on.
[38:14]
B
That's not.
[38:16]
C
Why would people say that?
[38:17]
B
That's not necessary.
[38:19]
C
That's, that's a beyond mean. But why are they doing that to you? Like you, you, it's not fair. You got people's wives trying to take up for you. You got people who like what, what's going on?
[38:31]
B
I didn't realize. I mean, again, this is what Stephen A. Bramley deals with. Like Cowboys fans are tough.
[38:36]
C
So are they. I mean, let me ask you a question. You've now had to go through this today. Would you say Cowboys fans are the worst? Yes or no.
[38:47]
B
Yeah, they're, they're at number one for me right now. Yeah, right. And again, I get it. You know, if a championship has been a dream only for you for 30 years, you got to be mad at somebody. So I get it. You know, they're, they're the, the team we always talk about but never really gives us a real reason to talk about. Them. So I, I, I get why they are like that.
[39:12]
C
But you do think they're the worst.
[39:14]
B
Yeah, yeah. At the top of, they're their own, they're their own list at this point. For me, after this, you call me a milk chocolate Whopperhead. I mean, you know, it, it's, it's, it's forever for me.
[39:27]
C
Like, that'll stick to you right to the end.
[39:30]
B
Well, It'll never change.
[39:31]
C
One person writes. Matt, this is on the text machine. 772-7745254. Matt, I unfortunately want my daughter to get into the WNBA and she loves Caitlin Clark, but I've tried to get her to know other players, but I don't feel like they market the other players to where my daughter and her friends only know Caitlin Clark. Don't you think the league should do a better job of teaching fans about the other players? Yes. First of all, the league seems to almost market no one. They don't seem to want to market Caitlin Clark for reasons I've never understood. And they also don't seem to want to market these other people. I mean, Olivia Miles is a great story. Let me give you an example. Here's what the league should do. The league should find the player that has the biggest personality. That's funny, that's interesting. Whether she's the best player or not. And she should go on a show like this or on Pat McAfee. And then they should have Olivia Miles on, you know, unsportsmanlike or the goalie like they should be. I should see these players to where I know them as human beings. And Myron, the league just doesn't even do that. They don't even, it seems like, try to market these women as stars and it leads to them almost being these blank slates that then people can come in and impose the their political persuasions on. And I don't think it's fair to any of them.
[40:51]
B
No, I completely disagree. I think the league markets players. I mean, again, I've covered the wnba. I go to a lot of games. I think if you watch the games, Olivia Miles is out there. People know her.
[40:59]
C
But how does the average fan doesn't know who Olivia.
[41:02]
B
But I don't, but I don't know what that even means when you say the average fit. Caitlin Clark obviously has been marketable since she was in college. But there are a lot of other stars in this league. If you pay attention. If you pay attention.
[41:13]
C
No, wait a minute. If you pay attention to the key the league needs to make it to where they force people like me to pay attention.
[41:21]
B
But the problem is the league can't overcome the other stuff right now. So I do think there are some great stories and there are some great people to talk about at market. But right now, when you say wnba, it becomes this polarizing thing. They have to end that part to make room for some of those stories to become more popular.
[41:40]
C
I think they can do both. I think part of the way that you get people to move on is that you get it to where people like me know something about Olivia Miles. Like, I give you a lot of credit. You are a big fan, and, you know, you watch a lot of the games. So, like, they've got you. But to be quite frank with you, they've got to get people like me and most of the listeners. And part of that is me learning about these other people.
[42:10]
B
Yeah, but. But they. They had you before all of this stuff became the headline for the wnba.
[42:17]
C
Well, they had. When Caitlin Clark paid Angel Reese, and they had me for the Finals. But I can't tell you. I mean, I'm just gonna. I'm just being honest. I can't tell you. I know a lot about the top five players, and sometimes I feel like if I just say I don't know these people, I need to know more about them. People act like I'm somehow not being studious. That's not what you do. If you're the PGA Tour, it is your job to get people to learn about Scottie Scheffler and just pick the people. Same thing with the wnba.
[42:50]
B
Well, but. But I. I think there are some great stories out there, and I'm fine with more of those stories being told, and people open it up if that helps bring in more fans like you and others. I think the challenge is everybody's afraid right now.
[43:05]
C
That's true.
[43:05]
B
Side and outside that league, that nobody knows what to say.
[43:08]
C
That's true.
[43:09]
B
Everyone's distancing themselves, so you got to deal with the big problem in the room before you can get to the other.
[43:15]
C
But leadership in life can't be afraid. Okay, I agree. Because when you lead from a position of being scared, you make mistakes. The WNBA is always reactive. They're not proactive. And so part of the way, you. You have to show leadership with strengths. And you're exactly right. It does feel like everybody's scared. I'll be honest with you. It feels like most people that talk about it are scared, unless they're trying to make a political point. And those people are confident. But the average fan or the average media member seems scared to talk. And that is not good, Myron, for the league. But.
[43:58]
B
But we can only have this conversation because I trust your perspective and you trust mine.
[44:03]
C
I agree.
[44:03]
B
You know that we can handle the nuance in the context of this. That's not happening online. It's the exact opposite of that. We can't have a real dialogue in the wnba, I think has to raise this to an emergency level because people are going to miss this incredible basketball if something doesn't change.
[44:20]
C
Right now people have to get to the point that they can say basic truths. That the foul was a flagrant foul. Right. That Caitlin Clark has a right to not speak if she doesn't want to write that maybe you know, that Carrington shouldn't have put the comment on threads. All that. You have to be able to say it without being scared. And the league just to me seems scared and I think that makes it difficult. All right. We were going to talk about Scottie Pippen because Myron gets very angry at Scotty Pippen. But we will save that for tomorrow. Will you let some of your anger about Scottie Pippen come out tomorrow? Is that okay? Yeah.
[44:58]
B
I'll talk about the angry retired veteran. Sure.
[45:03]
C
Angry retired veteran.
[45:05]
B
He's just angry. He's just angry. Why is he angry all the time?
[45:09]
C
Scotty Pippen is angry all the time and Myron's angry about that. We will deal with that tomorrow. Our good friends Freddie and Harry are up next. This has been Matt Myron on ESPN Radio.
[45:19]
B
Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the podcast. You can listen to Matt and Myron
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